admin 
New Delhi, India | April 23, 2026
The government has clarified that there has been no increase in petrol and diesel prices since April 6, 2022, despite rising global crude oil prices. Officials also urged citizens not to panic or believe rumours amid concerns linked to the ongoing West Asia crisis.
Fuel Supply Remains Stable Across India
During an inter-ministerial briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, confirmed that fuel supplies remain adequate across the country.
She stated that petrol and diesel are readily available at retail outlets. However, some cases of panic buying have been reported. Therefore, she advised citizens to remain calm and rely only on official information.
No Price Increase Since April 2022
The government emphasized that fuel prices have remained unchanged since April 6, 2022. In fact, it has taken multiple steps to ensure price stability.
Key measures include:
- Reduction in Excise Duty in 2022
- Further price cuts in 2024
- Additional excise duty reduction of ₹10 on March 27, 2026
As a result, domestic fuel prices have stayed stable despite fluctuations in global markets.
West Asia Crisis Impacts Imports, Not Supply
Although imports from West Asia have been affected due to geopolitical tensions, the government has ensured that supply disruptions do not impact consumers.
Moreover, officials are actively managing logistics to minimize inconvenience. Therefore, the country continues to maintain a stable fuel distribution system.
LPG Supply Remains Normal
The government also confirmed that LPG supply remains steady across India.
- Over 5.2 million households received LPG cylinders in a single day
- Daily bookings currently average 44–45 lakh
- Around 94% deliveries use DAC (Delivery Authentication Code)
Furthermore, the adoption of DAC has helped reduce misuse and improve transparency.
Commercial LPG and Small Cylinder Demand Rising
Commercial LPG supply has recovered to 70% capacity, with over 140,000 tonnes sold in April.
This supply supports sectors such as:
- Restaurants and hotels
- Steel and automobile industries
- Textile and chemical sectors
- Agriculture and packaging
In addition, demand for 5 kg LPG cylinders has increased significantly:
- Over 1.7 million cylinders sold since April 1
- Around 127,000 cylinders sold through awareness camps
- Nearly 8,900 camps organized nationwide
Expansion of PNG Connections
The government is also accelerating Piped Natural Gas (PNG) expansion.
- Over 518,000 new PNG connections activated since March
- Infrastructure developed for 258,000 additional connections
- Total expansion reaches approximately 776,000 connections
Therefore, this initiative aims to provide cleaner and more accessible energy solutions.
Global Crude Prices Rise, Domestic Stability Maintained
Despite a sharp rise in global crude prices, domestic fuel prices have remained stable.
- Indian crude basket averaged USD 70/barrel in FY 2025-26
- Prices surged to over USD 113/barrel in March
However, government interventions have ensured that consumers do not face sudden price hikes.
Overall, the government has maintained fuel price stability and supply security despite global uncertainties. By reducing taxes and improving supply chain efficiency, authorities have protected consumers from rising costs.
Therefore, citizens are advised to avoid panic and trust official updates regarding fuel availability and pricing.
About The Author
